Air NZ staff pleased by versatile, casual look

Air New Zealand staff model the new uniforms yesterday. Picture / Greg Bowker

Air New Zealand's secret is finally out of the bag, and if its staff are any judge, the new uniforms are a big hit.

Twenty-two Air New Zealand staff strutted the Zambesi-designed uniforms on the fashion runway to 600 colleagues yesterday - just hours before its official unveiling to the public at Fashion Week's Viaduct Harbour venue.

Despite reports that some staff members felt the uniforms were unsuitable for heavier people, attendees the Herald spoke to were mighty pleased with the results of the 18-month collaboration between Zambesi and the airline.

The new look replaces Barbara Lee's 1992-designed uniform. Banished is the bright teal, and the odd tea-towel shoulder fixture that was the affliction of the women's uniforms of the past. In its place is a newer, more casual look that - at least among the women's uniforms - seemed to pay homage to 1960s fashion.

One crew member mentioned the Thunderbirds when the uniforms were unveiled, but no one was talking just by moving their chins. Instead, plenty of smiles and nods were seen during and after the show.

Flight attendants Karen Eppingstall, Dagi Heider and Holly Alderton-Fife thought the hat and the merino wrap were welcome additions. Ms Heider said the uniforms are more versatile now, with four different outfit combinations possible rather than the two at present.

"You can create a different look every day. The colours are a little bit lighter than we expected them to be, but the fabrics are beautiful.

"They fall really beautifully and I think it will feel really nice on," said Ms Eppingstall. She said the new uniforms were also more practical, as the fabric was less likely to crease.

Another flight attendant, Juliet, thought there were other benefits, too.

"It's a good incentive to keep the figure in good trim. I won't be putting on any more kilos - put it that way," she said with a laugh.

Ground crew member Karen Edwards liked the colours, in particular.

"I think it's very flattering. For a lot of staff members, it'll go a lot better than the teal."

Business analyst Brendon Dennison was a big fan of the new men's uniforms.

"I thought it was very contemporary. It almost looks like something you could wear out to a corporate event, a smart casual-type event."

Performance manager Kim Walbridge said the attention to detail was overwhelming.

"It looks a lot more flexible and less rigid than the current uniform. I almost want to go and be a flight attendant just to wear it."

UNIFORM INNOVATIONS

The hat is back: A teal military style with badge for cabin crew.
Women wear pants: Female cabin crew now get the choice of pants or skirt.
Dress-down everyday: Ties are optional for male cabin crew.
Styled for comfort: Modern natural fibres, like New Zealand merino. No tight waistbands, nothing that tucks in for women.
High-ho silver: Pilots sport silver braiding to mirror the silver fern on headgear.
Colour code: General staff and cabin crew wear schist-coloured jackets and pants, management stride out in slate. Pale teal and greenstone aprons for women's wear.
Say hello: Magnetic name tags won't damage fabrics and will carry flags to show the languages crew speak.